Emperor loach - Botia udomrithruji

The emperor loach, Botia udomritthiruji, owes its scientific name to Kamphol Udomritthiruhi, who was much concerned with this species in his time. It originates from the catchment areas of the Great Tenasserim River in southern Myanmar and inhabits clear and moderately flowing river sections in groups.

Like other loach species, the loach, which grows up to 12 cm, is a popular food fish in its native country and is caught with gillnets and sink nets. Due to its adaptability it can be kept easily by beginners. The Emperor Loach has an elongated body with a flattened pointed and underslung mouth with two pairs of barbels.

It has so-called sub-eye spines, which it can erect in case of danger and to protect itself from predators. It should therefore never be held by hand. In basic coloration, the Kaier Prachtschmerle has a yellow to ocher body, on which there are brown horizontal stripes, sometimes arranged in pairs. The dorsal and caudal fins have several black bands, and the pectoral fins are yellow-transparent and are also banded in black. The pelvic fins may be spotted with black. With age, the coloration changes and may show increased markings. The scaleless body is surrounded by a mucous membrane, with which it can even absorb its oxygen requirements.

Like other loaches, this Botia species is a gut breather. Emperor loaches are group fish that behave well towards other fish and can also be socialized, provided their group size does not fall below 6 animals. Their very interesting social behavior, in which they form a clear pecking order, is remarkable.

Emperor loaches are difficult to distinguish externally by sex and tend not to breed under conventional aquarium conditions. Although there are reports of accidental breeding and spontaneous egg laying, these tend to be the absolute exception. Under natural conditions loaches are free spawners that migrate in rivers during spawning season. In their country of origin loaches are bred for commercial export, however, the breeding method is not feasible for the conventional aquarist and rather uninteresting.

In contrast to other loaches the emperor loach tends to a rather offensive behavior, this is however justified in their ranking, which is clarified constantly anew. Therefore, your aquarium should have an appropriate size from at least 200 liters, so that the animals can go out of their way. As a substrate is suitable fine sand with pebbles, as well as roots and other stones that provide both caves and privacy. A dense planting in places, including the water surface, serves the well-being of the animals and provides darkened areas where the fish occasionally seek shelter. They are very tolerant to water values and can be kept in almost any tap water. Temperatures of 24-30 °C are ideal. Additional aeration or current is not absolutely necessary, but is gladly accepted, also an appropriately dimensioned filter should provide for very clean water.

Even if the loach occasionally tends to quarrels, which are ultimately rather harmless and are mostly settled within the species, it behaves more politely towards other fish. It can be socialized with other bottom-dwelling fish, as long as these are not downright voles, which reshape the substrate daily and stir it up in the process.

Since emperor loaches feed mainly carnivorous and also like to be used as first remedy for a snail plague, a socialization with invertebrates is rather suboptimal, since these spice up their diet. As a rule, the animals can be fed with live and frozen food, but also with granules and bottom-sinking wafers, chips and tablets.

Our feed recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfishfeed for all aufwuchs feeding sucking catfish in the aquarium is a balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic active ingredient complexes that provide sucking catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration. As a snack, supplemental food or vacation food, we recommend the CatfishPlates.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.